TTV miRNA sequences as an early marker for the future development of cancer and as a target for cancer treatment and prevention

Abstract

Described are TTV miRNAs and probes and primers comprising part of said TTV miRNA polynucleic acid. The use of said compounds for diagnosis of cancer or predisposition of cancer is also described.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vector comprising a TTV nucleic acid operatively linked to a promoter, wherein the TTV nucleic acid consists of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-4, 12, and 38-55. 
     
     
       2. A labeled primer comprising a label and an oligonucleotide of at least 15 nucleotides, wherein the oligonucleotide is comprised by a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 38-44, 46-55, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence CATCCYY (with Y=C or T). 
     
     
       3. The primer of  claim 2 , wherein the nucleotide sequence CATCCYY is selected from the group consisting of CATCCCC, CATCCCT, and CATCCTC.